Patch cord plug organizer

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a cable organizer. The cable organizer has a base with a plurality of ports. Each port is configured to hold a plug extending from a patch cord. The cable organizer also has a plurality of flanges connected to the base and a plurality of latch mechanisms. Each flange defines a side of one of the ports and each latch mechanism is connected to the ports by a pivot element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/870,000, filed Aug. 26, 2013, the subject matter of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a patch cord plug organizer, and moreparticularly to a patch cord plug organizer with mass plug insertion andmass plug removal capability.

Quick deployment of telecom rooms and data centers is advantageous inorder to lower costs to deploy such facilities and to reduce the time ittakes to bring such facilities on line. One potentially time consumingeffort is patching between patch panels and switches, for example. Patchpanels and switches typically have individual RJ45 ports (or other formfactor such as SFP+, fiber optic, etc.), a respective patch cordconnects a port on a switch to a patch panel port, and this process canbe repeated with hundreds of patch cords for even a relatively smalltelecom room, with data centers having much greater patchingrequirements. If multiple patch cables are organized into a cableassembly which assembly ends that can be inserted and removed en masse(i.e., mass plug insertion and mass plug removal) then significant timesavings can be achieved during installation.

One challenge to such a design is that switch port jacks are typicallyconfigured differently than patch panel jacks. Switch port jacks can bein two rows with the upper and lower jacks in opposed configuration asthe two rows are mounted on opposite sides of the same circuit boardwithin the switch. In contrast, a high density patch panel can have tworows of jacks in one rack unit (1 RU) but the upper and lower jacks aretypically in the same configuration with the plug interface contactsfaced downward to reduce the opportunity of dust, and othercontaminants, settling on the contacts. Further, jacks within theswitches are spaced differently than patch panel jacks because of thedifferent manufacture and function of the respective pieces ofequipment.

Another consideration in patch cable assembly design is troubleshootingindividual patch cords. In the event of a channel problem it may benecessary to remove and reinstall an individual patch cord andaccomplish such removal and installation without disturbing other patchcords.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,167,638 (Wojcik et al.), incorporated by reference as iffully set forth herein, describes an advantageous multi-position quickrelease plug cassette assembly which accomplishes mass plug insertion,mass plug removal; and individual patch cord removal and installation ifneeded. However, this plug cassette assembly is particularly suited forthe switch end as the plug rows are oriented in an opposedconfiguration.

A cable connector holder is known for connecting and disconnectingmultiple cable connectors; however, this holder only positively engagesthe outer plug latches as the inner plug latches are continuouslydepressed. There are several disadvantages to such a design. Onedisadvantage of this holder is that a plug latch, when properly engagedin a jack, ensures proper contact between respective plug/jack contacts.By continuously depressing the inner latches, the inner plugs may nothave proper engagement with respective jack contacts. Additionally,latches are typically made of plastic and plastic can exhibit creep whenunder a continuous load, therefore with time the inner latches may berendered non-functioning. Further, this holder does not allow forindividual patch cord removal and installation without disassembly ofthe holder.

It is desirable to provide a cable management device that organizes theplug ends of patch cords to allow for mass insertion of multiple plugsinto a patch panel or switch, or other similar equipment. It is alsodesirable to provide a cable management device that enables individualplug removal without affecting the remaining attached plugs as well assimultaneous removal of multiple plugs from the associated equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cable organizer designed to hold a plurality of plugs is disclosed.The cable organizer has a base with a plurality of ports. The sides ofthe ports are defined by a plurality of flanges extending from the base.The cable organizer also includes a plurality of latch mechanisms. Thelatch mechanisms are connected to the ports by a pivot element. Thelatch mechanism enables the plugs to be secured and released, asdesired, with respect to the cable organizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a communication system, according to anembodiment of the present invention, including a patch panel and a cableassembly with an embodiment of a patch cord plug organizer of thepresent invention installed therein and a removal tool of the presentinvention exploded therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the patch cord plug organizer ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the patch cord plug organizer ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the cable assembly with the patchcord plug organizer and a bottom perspective view of the removal tool ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the cable assembly with the patchcord plug organizer and a top perspective view of the removal tool ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a plug installed in the patch cordplug organizer taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the cable assembly of FIG. 5 withthe removal tool attached to the patch cord plug organizer.

FIG. 8 is a partial see-through side view of the cable assembly with theremoval tool attached to the patch cord plug organizer of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention includes a communicationsystem 20 with a patch panel 30 that is populated with RJ45 jacks 32 inQuickNet™ cassettes 34. Cable assembly 50 can be connected to patchpanel 30. Cable assembly 50 includes patch cables 52 terminated withrespective RJ45 plugs 54 that are installed in a one piece patch cordplug organizer 60. Plugs 54 are inserted into jacks 32 to allow data toflow in both directions through the connectors. A removal tool 100 isused to remove plugs 54, en masse, from patch panel 30; and organizer 60allows plugs 54 to be inserted, also en masse, into patch panel 30.

Although communication equipment 30 is illustrated as a patch panel inFIG. 1, equipment 30 can be passive equipment or active equipment, andcan be in a multi-port cassette configuration as is the case withQuickNet™ cassettes 34, or other port configurations. Examples ofpassive equipment that may contain other port configurations can be, butare not limited to, modular patch panels, punch-down patch panels,shielded patch panels, intelligent patch panels, coupler patch panels,wall jacks, etc. Examples of active equipment can be, but are notlimited to, Ethernet switches, routers, servers, physical layermanagement systems, and power-over-Ethernet equipment as can be found indata centers/telecommunications rooms; security devices (cameras andother sensors, etc.) and door access equipment; and telephones,computers, fax machines, printers and other peripherals as can be foundin workstation areas. Communication system 20 can further includecabinets, racks, cable management and overhead routing systems, andother such equipment.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, patch cord plug organizer 60 includesbase 61 with a plurality of ports 62 for receiving RJ45 plugs 54,including shielded and unshielded CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7, CAT8, andhigher data rates, as well as all keyed and 28/30 gauge RJ45 plugs. Thesides of each port 62 are defined by flanges 63. Each port 62 in patchcord plug organizer 60 includes a latch feature 64, a lever 66 and anaxial bar 68. As described below with respect to FIG. 6, each latchfeature 64 is positioned in a recess 56 of each plug 54 to secure plug54 to patch cord plug organizer 60. Ports 62 in patch cord plugorganizer 60 are oriented to enable plugs 54 to be inserted in jacks 32.

Patch cord plug organizer 60 also includes a plurality of slot openings70 with a slot opening positioned adjacent each side of ports 62. Eachslot opening includes axle relief features 72 that accommodate pivotpoints 110 of removal tool 100. As described below, slot openings 70 andaxle relief features 72 receive removal tool 100 to enable mass removalof plugs 54 positioned in patch cord plug organizer 60.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate cable assembly 50 of the present inventionremoved from patch panel 30, and removal tool 100 of the presentinvention positioned to be installed in patch cord plug organizer 60.Patch cord plug organizer 60 orients and spaces RJ45 plugs 54 when theyare mounted in ports 62. Removal tool 100 includes a first end or paddle102 and a second end 104. Second end 104 includes a plurality of tabs106. Removal tool 100 is installed over plugs 54 with a tab 106positioned over each plug latch 58 (see FIG. 8). Removal tool 100 alsoincludes a plurality of flanges 108 with pivot points 110 allowingrotation of removal tool 100 when inserted in organizer as furtherdescribed below.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a RJ45 plug 54 installed inpatch cord plug organizer 60. RJ45 plug 54 is locked in a port 62 inpatch cord plug organizer 60 by latch feature 64. Latch feature 64engages recess 56 found on the underside of RJ45 plug 54. Toindividually remove RJ45 plug 54 from patch cord plug organizer 60,lever 66 at opposite end of latch feature 64 is depressed to rotatelatch feature 64 away from recess 56 and release an individual RJ45 plug54.

FIG. 7 illustrates the cable assembly 50 installed in patch cord plugorganizer 60 with removal tool 100 attached thereto. Removal tool 100 isdesigned to provide mass removal, from a patch panel or the like, of theplugs 54 installed in the patch cord plug organizer 60.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of cable assembly 50 with cables 52removed. Plug 54 and removal tool 100 are visible through patch cordplug organizer 60. When removal tool 100 is inserted into slot openings70, axle relief features 72 of patch cord plug organizer 60 capturepivot points 110 of removal tool 100. Axial relief features 72 allowremoval tool 100 to rotate when attached to patch cord plug organizer60. The axial rotation of tool 100 is controlled by pivot points 110. Asone end 102 of removal tool 100 is engaged, removal tool 100 rotates andtabs 106 at opposite end 104 move in the opposite direction. Tabs 106then depress plug latches 58 to simultaneously release plugs 54 fromRJ45 jacks 32.

Although patch cord plug organizer 60 and removal tool 100 of thepresent invention are designed with six plug ports 62, the patch cordplug organizer 60 and removal tool 100 can be modified to include moreor less ports, as desired.

The one piece patch cord plug organizer of the present inventioncontrols the orientation of the inserted patch cord plugs and allows formass insertion of the plugs into the jacks in the patch panel or otherequipment. The one piece patch cord plug organizer allows for individualactuation of a respective latch release for removal of an individualplug and allows for mass removal of the plugs with the removal tool.

Other advantages of at least one embodiment of the present inventioninclude a low profile cable organizer which allows mass insertion andmass removal of plugs, and removal of individual plugs. Yet otheradvantages of at least one embodiment of the present invention are thatit is a one piece design that is relatively easy to manufacture and use,and is usable in stacked configurations such as high density (and other)patch panels, switches, routers, servers, and other multiportcommunication equipment.

Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments of the presentinvention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth inthe foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way ofillustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of theinvention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewedin their proper perspective based on the prior art.

What is claimed:
 1. A cable organizer for a plurality of communicationpatch cords, comprising: a base including a plurality of ports, eachsaid port is configured for holding a respective plug of one of thepatch cords; a plurality of flanges connected to said base, each saidflange defining a side of at least one respective port; and a pluralityof latch mechanisms, each said latch mechanism connected to a respectivesaid port by a pivot element, wherein each said latch mechanism includesa latch feature connected to a lever, and wherein said pivot element isconnected between said latch feature and said lever.
 2. The cableorganizer of claim 1, wherein said latch feature is rotatable about saidpivot element by moving a respective said lever.
 3. The cable organizerof claim 1, wherein each said pivot element is an axial bar.
 4. Thecable organizer of claim 1, wherein each said flange includes a slotconfigured for engaging a removal tool.
 5. The cable organizer of claim4, wherein each slot includes an axle relief feature.
 6. A patch cordassembly, comprising: a plurality of patch cords, each said patch cordincluding a first end and a second end, at least one of said first endand said second end including a communication plug; and a cableorganizer connected to one of said first end and said second end of saidplurality of patch cords, said cable organizer including a base having aplurality of ports, each said port is configured for holding arespective plug of one of the patch cords, a plurality of flangesconnected to said base, each said flange defining a side of at least onerespective port, and a plurality of latch mechanisms, each said latchmechanism connected to a respective said port by a pivot element,wherein each said latch mechanism includes a latch feature connected toa lever, and wherein said pivot element is connected between said latchfeature and said lever.
 7. The patch cord assembly of claim 6, whereinsaid latch feature is rotatable about said pivot element by moving arespective said lever.
 8. The patch cord assembly of claim 6, whereineach said pivot element is an axial bar.
 9. The patch cord assembly ofclaim 6, wherein each said flange includes a slot configured forengaging a removal tool.
 10. The patch cord assembly of claim 9, whereineach slot includes an axle relief feature.
 11. A cable organizer for aplurality of communication patch cords, comprising: a base including aplurality of ports, each said port is configured for holding arespective plug of one of the patch cords; a plurality of flangesconnected to said base, each said flange defining a side of at least onerespective port, wherein each said flange includes a slot configured forengaging a removal tool; and a plurality of latch mechanisms, each saidlatch mechanism connected to a respective said port by a pivot element.12. The cable organizer of claim 11, wherein each slot includes an axlerelief feature.
 13. A patch cord assembly, comprising: a plurality ofpatch cords, each said patch cord including a first end and a secondend, at least one of said first end and said second end including acommunication plug; and a cable organizer connected to one of said firstend and said second end of said plurality of patch cords, said cableorganizer including a base having a plurality of ports, each said portis configured for holding a respective plug of one of the patch cords, aplurality of flanges connected to said base, each said flange defining aside of at least one respective port, wherein each said flange includesa slot configured for engaging a removal tool, and a plurality of latchmechanisms, each said latch mechanism connected to a respective saidport by a pivot element.
 14. The patch cord assembly of claim 13,wherein each slot includes an axle relief feature.